Pilgrim badge phallus with wheelbarrow, silvered bronze

Product description

The unique medieval bawdy badge is based on a historical model discovered in the Netherlands, dating back to 1400–1450 AD. The original piece, crafted from pewter, is now part of the Langbroek Collection, Van Breuningen. Bawdy badges with obscene-erotic themes were highly popular across Northern Europe in the late Middle Ages, especially in the Netherlands. These badges were likely created for comedic entertainment during the carnival season.

The design features a phallus-shaped creature wearing trousers and shoes, accompanied by a woman pushing a wheelbarrow filled with small phalli. Depictions of phallic animals in various forms were a recurring motif in medieval badges. The badge is crafted with an eyelet on the back, permitting it to be worn as a pendant or attached to clothing. It measures 3.5 x 3.5 cm.

Obscene-erotic phallus badges formed a subcategory of profane medieval badges, which often featured humorous depictions such as phallic trees, ships, or personified genitalia. The phallic creature — a half-human figure with legs and sometimes wings — was a common subject amongst badge-makers. These badges likely served to lighten the topic of sexuality through humour, and acted as playful tools for fostering communication during social rituals, particularly during the raucous celebrations of Shrovetide.